Weekend Football Betting Tips – 20th & 21st May 2017

As we enter the final day of the Premier League season, Liverpool and Arsenal are locked in a two-horse race for a UEFA Champions League spot. The Reds only need to beat Middlesbrough to ensure a place in the top four.

Meanwhile, Bradford City and Millwall will contest the Sky Bet League One play-off final at Wembley on Saturday. With the bookies having a hard time splitting the two, we should be in for a fascinating battle in the capital.

There’s also the small matter of the title to be settled in Spain’s La Liga, with Real Madrid in pole position to claim a first Spanish title in five years, as they sit three points ahead of Barcelona with one game left.

  • Arsenal v Everton – Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score (11/5 at Bet365)
  • Liverpool v Middlesbrough – Liverpool to Win -1 (8/15 at Coral)
  • Watford v Manchester City – Draw (4/1 at Betfred)
  • Bradford City v Millwall – Millwall to Win (7/4 at Ladbrokes)
  • Barcelona v Eibar – Barcelona to Win -3 (11/10 at Coral)
  • Malaga v Real Madrid – Real Madrid to Win to Nil (19/10 at Ladbrokes)

Premier League

As we close the curtain on what has been another fine Premier League season, the only thing left to be decided is whether Liverpool or Arsenal will be playing Champions League football next season. If Manchester City are beaten heavily at Watford and the Gunners win well at home against Everton, City could also be overtaken by Arsene Wenger’s men. Meanwhile, the champions Chelsea host relegated Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, whilst Tottenham Hotspur travel to Hull City.

Arsenal v Everton – 21st May

Despite a brave effort from Wenger’s Arsenal, it looks as though the Gunners will have to settle for a spot in the UEFA Europa League next season. However, they will be hoping to go out on a high when they welcome Ronald Koeman’s Everton to the Emirates Stadium on the final day.

Arsenal’s run of six wins in seven looks to have come too late, as Liverpool only need to beat Middlesbrough – who will be plying their trade in the Sky Bet Championship next term – in front of their home fans at Anfield to qualify. Not only that, the Toffees will no doubt be a hard nut to crack for the Londoners.

Nevertheless, we’re backing Wenger’s boys to sign off with another victory on home turf this Sunday, with Bet365’s 11/5 for the hosts to win and both teams to score standing out.

Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score – 11/5 at Bet365

Liverpool v Middlesbrough – 21st May

Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 win at West Ham United last weekend has set them up nicely for their final game of the season against Steve Agnew’s Middlesbrough. The Reds, who won 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium in the reverse fixture, should have no problems in this one.

If Arsenal fail to beat Liverpool’s rivals, Jurgen Klopp’s men will still make the top four even with a defeat on Sunday – it’s well and truly in their hands. As for Boro, they have struggled with the Premier League this season, but will hope to get back into the top tier as soon as possible.

The Merseyside outfit will not want to rely on results going their way elsewhere, as they will be looking to put Agnew’s men to the sword with ease at Anfield. Coral are offering decent odds of 8/15 for the home team to win with a -1 goal handicap, a price we believe is well worth having a punt on.

Liverpool to Win -1 – 8/15 at Coral

Watford v Manchester City – 21st May

Manchester City’s comfortable 3-1 victory over Tony Pulis’s West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday has all but ensured their place in the top four. Barring a disastrous set of results, Pep Guardiola’s Citizens will be rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite next year.

However, we should not rule out Watford just yet, as they have won three of their last four home matches. Also, the Hertfordshire club have just announced Walter Mazzarri will not be in charge at Vicarage Road next season, so his side could be very unpredictable in his final match.

With that in mind, we believe the Hornets can claim a shock draw against City on Sunday. At 4/1 (Betfred) for the stalemate, we believe those odds are just too good to turn down.

Draw – 4/1 at Betfred

League One Play-off Final

Stuart McCall’s Bradford City and Neil Harris’s Millwall meet at Wembley for the Sky Bet League One play-off final on Saturday. During the regular League One campaign, these two played out two intense and tight 1-1 draws, but we must have a winner in this one, whether it’s in the 90, after extra time or on penalties. With so much at stake, which one of these will be playing their football in the Sky Bet Championship next term?

Bradford City v Millwall – 20th May 17

Bradford City and Millwall both fully deserve their place in this final. You can make a case for either side coming out on top, with the bookies struggling to pick a clear winner.

The Bantams saw off Fleetwood Town in their play-off semi-final. After a 1-0 win at Valley Parade, Bradford held firm in the away leg, sealing a tense 0-0 draw at Highbury Stadium. As for Lions, they managed to beat Scunthorpe United 3-2 on aggregate, with all five goals coming at Glanford Park after a goalless draw at the Den.

Millwall beat Bradford in the semi-final last year, before losing to Barnsley in the final. This year, though, we can see Harris’s men going one better and returning to the Championship. Ladbrokes have the best price on a Lions win, pricing them at 7/4 to lift the trophy in normal time.

Millwall to Win – 7/4 at Ladbrokes

La Liga

Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid took one giant leap towards the title on Wednesday, thumping Celta Vigo 4-1 at Balaidos. Now, they need just a point from their final match at Malaga to become La Liga champions for the first time since 2012. However, with Barcelona at home to Eibar, Real will need something at La Rosaleda on Sunday.

Barcelona v Eibar – 21st May

Luis Enrique takes charge of his final Barcelona league match on Sunday, as his side welcome Eibar to the Camp Nou. Only a win will do for Barca, but even that won’t be enough if Real get anything from their trip to Malaga.

Despite a valiant effort from Enrique’s men, they need a minor miracle on Sunday to become Spanish champions for the 25th time. Eibar, meanwhile, have had another decent season and will finish the campaign in mid-table.

Blaugrana will still be expected to win with ease on Sunday, they will also want a victory for Enrique in his last game at the Camp Nou. Because of that, we like the look of Coral’s 11/10 for Barca to win with a -3 goal handicap.

Barcelona to Win -3 – 11/10 at Coral

Malaga v Real Madrid – 21st May

After a stunning showing at Balaidos on Wednesday, Real Madrid are just a point away from the title in La Liga. To be fair to Zinedine Zidane’s side, they have been the most consistent team in the division and will be worthy champions.

This Sunday, Los Blancos will be hoping to get the job done at Malaga. However, Michel’s men have already shocked Barcelona at La Rosaleda, can they cause an upset against Real, too?

Los Merengues will be full of confidence after passing a tricky trip to Vigo with flying colours, and we fancy them to back that up with one final victory on Sunday. Ladbrokes have Real to win to nil nicely priced at 19/10.

Real Madrid to Win to Nil – 19/10 at Ladbrokes